Luol Deng was set to make his GB debut

Funding to England Basketball has been frozen while a government-commissioned review into the sport takes place.

World governing body Fiba views this as interference and has threatened to ban English players from its competitions.

"The British taxpayer should be outraged that Fiba is trying to hold them to ransom," said Caborn.

"Fiba are effectively asking for a blank cheque for English basketball without any responsibility to ensure that money is properly spent."

The initial findings of the Mallin Review made clear that the current structure could not deliver on the huge potential of the game Richard Caborn

Fiba's move threatens the possibility of a Great Britain team taking part in the London Olympics in 2012.

But Caborn insisted that the Mallin Review into England Basketball (EB) was vital and that the sport could not continue under its current structure.

"The initial findings of the Mallin Review made clear that the current structure of the EB could not deliver on the huge potential of the game," said Caborn.

"Sport England rightly suspended their funding in the light of this."

Fiba has set a deadline of 15 June for Sport England to fully endorse England Basketball before the ban takes effect.

A ban would prevent Britain qualifying for the 2009 European Championships, effectively halving their chances of playing as hosts in 2012.

The side, which will include NBA star Luol Deng for the first time this summer, would then only have the 2011 Championships to secure a spot.

Sport England, who commissioned the Mallin Review, also defended their position in the row.

"We don't understand the fuss," said chairman Derek Mapp. "My motivation is simple - I want to move basketball forward.